Mike Hansen
Executive Principal

Wow! Where has the year gone? Here we are in Term 4 and the weeks ahead are filled with learning, events and activities. Keep an eye out for Facebook posts, SMS messages, emails and of course our newsletter about all the great things that are coming up over the next eight weeks.

I would like to welcome some new staff to our campus. We are pleased to have Leaha Boylan (Year 4) and Hayley Thomas (Prep) join us this term.

This term Year 6 will be attending parade at 2.20pm on Thursday afternoons. These parades are to support their transition to secondary and will be run by myself (Mrs Molloy). We will have special visitors from the secondary campus attending and students are encouraged to speak with their teachers about questions they may like answered about secondary school.

Swimming lessons are also underway. Please ensure that you have paid your swimming invoice.

See below for further information on:

• BYO device requirements for 2024
• Uniforms
• Attendance

BYO Device Requirements for 2024

BYO requirements:

• Prep – iPads are provided in classrooms. Students are not required to have a personal device.
• Year 1 to Year 4 – iPads are the approved device. A small number of supplementary devices are available in cases of hardship or other extenuating circumstances.
• Year 5 and Year 6 – a laptop is the approved device. iPads are no longer supported in Year 5 and 6. Please visit our website for recommended specs for a laptop.
• App lists – for iPads and laptops will be forwarded later in the term.

Uniforms

I would also like to remind parents that RSC is a uniform approved school and all students are required to attend school in full uniform. If for some reason your child is unable to wear their full uniform, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance by email or note. Full details of uniform requirements can be found on our website.

At the moment we are seeing students wearing brightly coloured long socks. These are not the approved uniform. Socks should be black or white ankle or crew socks.

Black or predominantly black shoes are the approved uniform. Please remember this the next time you need to purchase shoes for your child.

Hats are in stock at the P&C shop. All students are required to have a hat for HPE and play breaks.

We will be reminding students on parade about uniform requirements.

Attendance

Each term our target attendance is 95% or above. Every day your child misses or turns up late is a day or hour that they cannot get back.

Also, some children are arriving very early to school. Children should not be at school before 8:15am. Please contact OSHC if you require before school care for your child.

Samantha Molloy - Head of Campus (Primary)

Prep – Year 3 News

Last term Year 2 classes went on an excursion to Kuranda and our Year 3 classes went into the city to visit the aquarium and the museum. Both cohorts collected compliments from the public as they went. We were so proud of the way they behaved, using great manners and excellent listening to instructions from adults.

Bravehearts

Last week we had a visit from Ditto and the Bravehearts show. This show is a fun, interactive live incursion, Bravehearts Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show teaches young children essential personal safety skills and knowledge using age-appropriate language, song, and dance, starring Bravehearts’ lovable lion cub ‘Ditto’ and a specially trained presenter. The students learnt about the following principles:

• Differentiating safe and unsafe feelings
• Recognising the body’s warning signs
• Body ownership and that it is ok to say no
• Helping children name public and private parts using anatomically correct names
• Reinforcing that there is no secret that children cannot tell someone
• What to do if you feel unsafe or unsure

Speaking with your child about these principles will assist to keep them safe. For further information, please refer to the Bravehearts website: www.bravehearts.org.au

Prep Graduation

This year our Prep graduation will be held on Thursday the 7^th December. There will be more information around this coming from your teachers but please save the date. It is a lovely time to celebrate your child’s achievements this year. The parade will be held in the morning.

Playgroup

Playgroup has been highly successful this year and is another great way to introduce your child to the school environment, meet other parents and connect with our literacy leader Dominique Ottone. Playgroup will be held in the Prep area from 9:00-11:00 on the following dates:

20^th October, 3^rd & 17^th November and 1^st December

All are welcome.

Prep Enrolments for 2024

We are currently still accepting enrolments for 2024. If you or your friends and family have a child eligible for prep in 2024, please pick up an enrolment pack from the primary campus as soon as possible. We will commence Prep interviews in November. Please consult the table for eligibility.

Prep Orientation Sessions

Thank you to those who attended our Story Land session with Miss Thackray in our library. It was so lovely to see our future Prep students engaged in a story followed by some activities in the library. Our literacy leader, Dominique Ottone, also had a lovely group of parents for her session on reading.

We invite all 2024 Prep students to attend the following orientation sessions.

Sessions include:

Finger Gym - Children participate in a range of activities to support the development of fine motor skills.

Date: Friday 20th October.  Time: 9.00am to 10.00am.  Venue: Prep Classroom.

Music Land - Visit our specialist music classroom to explore musical instruments, song and movement.

Date: Wednesday 25th October.  Time: 9.00am to 10.00am. Venue: Music Room.

Little Athletics Redlynch Style - Join our Physical Education teacher, Andrew Vearing, to explore athletics to improve gross motor skills and develop hand-eye co-ordination. 

Date: Monday 30th October.  Time: 9.00am to 10.00am.  Venue: Prep Playground. 

Parent information session.

Smooth Transitions - run by our Guidance Officer, Rhonda Stoter. Providing strategies to make your child’s transition to school successful.

Date: Wednesday 25th October.  Time: 9.00am to 10.00am. Venue: Primary Campus Library. 

Sue Hall - Deputy Principal Prep to Year 3

Year 4 to Year 6 News

Our amazing Teachers and Teacher Aides have all been working hard with our Year 4 to Year 6 students to achieve some wonderful results in student learning across the many subject areas.  These results will be highlighted at the upcoming Presentation Night where we will celebrate their achievements. There are also many students who attend school and just simply do their best each and every day and these students also need to be recognised. Congratulations to all students on your efforts and achievements, you should all be very proud of the new skills and knowledge you have developed through your efforts and persistence.

We also saw students perform at the recent RACE Showcase at CPAC which highlighted the incredibly talented students we have at Redlynch State College in Music, Visual Arts, Dance and Drama. The whole performance was a very professionally presented event, which was supported by our unique and highly regarded Live Production Crew.  I strongly encourage you to attend this event next year and to also invite friends and family to attend for a special evening of entertainment. The Showcase just gets better and better each year!

Over the past term, our Year 6 students have been participating in their Year 6 into 7 Transition Program and from all accounts, have had some great experiences and at the same time, helped to dispel some of the apprehension which often comes with going from Primary to Secondary School.  All Year 6 students will have an opportunity to meet their new peers and possible new friends on the last Wednesday of the term when all Year 6 students participate in their Orientation Day.

Mike Bruno - Deputy Principal Year 4 to Year 6

Fowler’s Cup Netball Carnival 2023

In 2023, many Year 5 and Year 6 students have shown great interest in participating in netball which made it more difficult than usual to choose players to represent RSC at the annual Fowler’s Group Primary School Carnival. After players were chosen for teams, RSC students were eager to get involved for every opportunity that became available to train together. Despite there being fewer players who had club experience compared to previous years, RSC players were determined to show that they had the grit needed to compete with some more experienced school teams.

Team 1 had mixed results with 3 hard-fought losses and 3 dominant wins over the day. It was clear that our competitive team was placed within a group with the strongest opponents, with St. Andrew’s from our group allocation winning the tournament. The team were not disheartened by losses and went out to play with the greatest determination and resilience each game. The team was led by captain Tayla B who was influential in bringing the team together to talk strategy and who had proven to be a strong role model in the way that she played. Tayla was successful in multiple court positions, she didn’t waiver in her tenacity and she was instrumental in creating opportunities to turn the ball over when it mattered the most.

All other players contributed effectively with no weaknesses across the court. Spectators marvelled at Hayley’s quick release passes, Hazel’s calmness to be able to shoot under pressure, Annabel’s unpredictability which led to her popping up to continually gain unexpected intercepts, Sasha’s incredible anticipation and movement to shut down opposition, Ruby, Bella and Temprance’s versatility, and Indianna’s bursts of energy despite her body fighting to recover from illness. MVP for the day was a draw between Shaylen B and Tayla B. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Temprance P as the player showing the greatest improvement from trainings and competition. RSC Dragons 1 have been a team exhibiting the greatest spirit; there is a lot of potential within this team and we would expect to see greater sporting success for these individuals in years to come.

Team 2 Dragons had some close, hard-fought games, but they came away with just one win for the day. Team 2 girls all put in a tremendous effort and played some great quality netball. Many of the opposition teams had great height advantages against our Dragons team, however, it was wonderful to watch our Dragons adapt and overcome these hurdles by using their speed and agility along with some outstanding defence tactics. It was a long day with 6 games played in total and 1 bye.

Miss Eddy and myself couldn’t be more proud of the way our girls conducted themselves at the carnival. RSC students have proven once again to be able to build strong team unity and to approach each new challenge with purpose and enthusiasm. Over many years RSC has earned a reputation of being competitive, committed and fair. This year’s teams have continued to strengthen our reputation as a strong sporting school. We would like to finish by congratulating each and every player for their hard-work, fair play and positive approach to each game. Well done Redlynch Dragons!

Erin Toomey - Coach & Teacher

Senior Exams

It is that time of year, when our Senior students, Year 11 and 12 are about to commence their final exams.

A copy of the exam timetable has been sent to all Year 11 and 12 students and is now available on our college website and can be accessed via the link below…

Reminder for all students in Year 11 and 12:

• Students only need to attend school during exam block time for their scheduled exam
• Normal school uniform is to be worn when on campus
• Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the exam time
• Check the timetable schedule and highlight their exams
• Read the approved equipment list – do not bring prohibited items to the exam
• If sick on the day of the exam, notify Mrs Glover immediately and get a medical certificate.

Natasha Glover - Deputy Principal Year 9 & Year 12

Mental Health Week

The week of 9^th to 13^th October was Mental Health Week. It is an annual awareness week that aims to shine a spotlight on mental health and wellbeing. This year’s key themes were awareness, belonging and connection. The students learnt about this in form class and RSC classes. The Secondary Campus organised daily activities during lunch times to promote strong connections through fun activities as well as a few surprises for our staff.  From goal kicking competitions, Zumba classes, real fairies delivering fairy bread, mindfulness workshops, to mental health super heroes paying the school a visit – it has been a jam-packed week of fun and surprises. Mental Health is something RSC takes pride in trying to nurture for our staff and students. Mental health is everyone’s business.

Internet Safety Education

Students in Year 7, 8 9 & 10 have been invited to attend a workshop presentation entitled ‘Internet Safe Education’ on Monday 23rd October at the College. This workshop will challenge student’s mindsets and assumptions about the realities of the online world. This is achieved through real and sometimes confronting presentations with life lessons that can’t be denied. The presentation aims to empower students with the knowledge they need to act responsibly in the online environment. 

Each year level has one lesson scheduled to attend the presentation on the day. The session will take place at the school and its duration is approximately 1 hour. It is an interactive session and the students will have a chance to ask questions.

We understand that discussing the above matters may be challenging for some students.  If you have any concerns or issues, please email cvelo4@eq.edu.au

Nicole Neill - Head of Department Student Services & Wellbeing

A Monster Calls

During Term 3 in Year 8 English we studied the novel A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It was a very emotional read for most students. We studied the different types of language features within the novel, extending our understanding of personification, similes and metaphors, as well as writing and editing dialogue between characters. For our assessment, all students wrote a new chapter in a style similar to the authors, that would fit into the novel in a suitable spot. Their written creations were amazing. But even more surprising, were their physical creations of the Monster from the novel, a Yew Tree. Using only newspaper, tape, and their imaginations, students were able to produce these beautiful representations of one of the main characters of the novel. Well done students!

Michele Dalton - Head of Department - English

The end of the year is fast approaching which means end of year entertainment!

The Arts Department ended Term 3 with the fabulous annual instrumental music CODA concert. A wonderful evening of music performed by Redlynch Instrumental ensembles including Junior, Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands, Junior & Senior String orchestras and the Junior Jazz and Senior Stage bands. There was music for everyone’s taste all creatively coordinated by Kirsty Rankine. Thank you to all our instrumental teachers: Nathan Christodoulides, Tim Jackson, Emma Baker, Kelly Perger and leader Kirsty Rankine.

And it wouldn’t be a Term 4 if we weren’t busy with events in the performing arts!

From day one we were rehearsing the opening and closing items of this year’s RACE Showcase. By the end of the four-day week we joined RACE Visual artists for their grand exhibition opening at The Kite Gallery, a wonderful display of talent. On the Wednesday, back to rehearsals with a full day of tech lighting and audio at CPAC in preparation for the Showcase.

RACE Showcase ‘Unbreakable’ 2023 was nothing short of SPECTACULAR! The team of creative young people that made it all happen were as follows:

Samantha Parkinson and Emma Pashley, together they know how to reach the full potential of all our wonderful dance students as they danced up a storm. These two special teachers empowered senior dance students to mentor the younger students to choreograph sections of the opening and closing sequences. All created from Sam and Emma’s original vision and realized by a team of super talented performing arts drama and music teachers.

Daniel Bruce, simply works miracles when it comes to finding musical solutions to match the out of this world visions of the creative team. All the music heard on the night was a result of Dan’s creative arranging and directing. The RACE music students were equally supportive of each other as they took on the technical musicianship demands thrown at them from Dan and the team. All the instrumentalists and vocalists rose to new heights and enjoyed every minute of the 2 ½ hour show.

Amelia Pegrum, Gary Holloway and Belinda Riles together prepared dramatic performances that where breathtakingly original, witty, outrageous and thoroughly entertaining. Again, the teachers skilfully tapped into the talent of the young students and together they created performances which were completely unique, full of ‘Unbreakable’ imagination and very special for the students who all had apart in the conception of the final work.

Robert Crookes - Head of Deparment Performing Arts

District Music Camp

In week 1, the District music band camp hosted over 100 Primary school students selected from schools all over Cairns. They workshopped for two days under the baton of Jeanette Douglas and with help of the Instrumental Music teachers in our Region. The workshop culminated in a concert where the group beautifully performed 6 pieces. Well done to the following students for representing Redlynch State College in such a fabulous way!

Gia on flute

Sophie on flute

Aisha on flute

Seon on Clarinet

Nate on Alto Sax

Riley on Tenor Sax

Ken on Trumpet

Max on Trumpet

Jakob on Trombone

Kirsty Rankine - Instrumental Music Co-Ordinator

RSC has been watching in awe as the 7-10 RACE Visual Art mural that now adorns the outside of the large auditorium on the Secondary Campus started at the end of Term 4, 2022, then grew and grew until it’s completion in the last week of Term 3, 2023.

Congratulations to Jaegar for your unwavering dedication and artmaking practice from original zentangle to resolved mural. You have spent many hours projecting, painting, reflecting and developing the design further.

Thank you to all the 7-10 RACE Visual Art students present and past who worked on developing a colour scheme, and painting in the heat, rain and wind. Also thank you to the current 11 VAP students and ex Vis Art students who graduated in 2022, returning many times to help paint.

A big thank you to Visual Art TA, Mrs Annie Edington for her never ending support to keep this project going and giving her own time on several evenings to project and outline as the sun finally went down. Also thank you to relief Visual Art TA, Ms Phoebe Alison for helping too.

Thank you to Mr Hansen for approving the site, the RSC P&C for supporting this project, the RSC Facilities Dept for preparing the wall and applying sealant coats.

To Higgins Coatings Cairns and Dulux Paints thank you so very much for donating brushes and paint for this artwork to become a lasting part of RSC.

Please take the time to stop and look at the mural on your way through the RSC Secondary Campus and enjoy.

Stephanie Webber - Visual Arts & RACE Arts